5 days ago
Remembering Kalabhavan Navas: The Family Trip Without Wallet, Cash Or Cards
The sudden passing of popular Malayalam actor and mimicry artist Kalabhavan Navas has left the entertainment industry and his fans in deep shock. Known for his comic timing, stage presence, and charming personality, Navas was a familiar face in films, stage shows, and television.
Just hours before his untimely death, he had been laughing and joking on set, making it even harder for his colleagues and loved ones to come to terms with the tragic news. None of them could believe that someone so full of life could be gone so unexpectedly.
Navas was known for his attentiveness to health. Those who saw him regularly would often say, 'He looks exactly the same as he did years ago.' His wife, Rehana, described him as calm and composed. The sudden loss has devastated their happy family, Rehana and their three children, who lived together in Aluva, Kerala.
Rehana, who had a promising career in acting, stepped away from the limelight after marrying Navas in 2002. At the time, she had both a film and a television serial lined up, but she chose instead to devote herself to her family, raising their daughter and two sons.
In an interview with The New Indian Express, Rehana spoke about what Navas was like at home. Even while sitting quietly, he was always mentally engaged, thinking, creating, and planning. He was a relaxed and loving father, but like many artists, he was frequently deep in thought. When Rehana approached him with something important, his usual response was often a nod or glance. Assuming he'd heard, she'd carry on, only to realise later that he hadn't absorbed a word of it.
The couple had recently acted together in the film Izha (2025). During breaks in their busy schedules, the family enjoyed outings to shopping malls in Kochi to watch films, or they took short trips that often became memorable experiences. Rehana fondly recalled one such trip to Wayanad in their Tata Innova. When they reached Kottakkal, Navas realised he'd forgotten his wallet, which had all their money and his bank cards. Rehana hadn't brought any cash either. She suggested they return home, but it was already 7 pm, and Navas wasn't keen on turning back. As they pondered what to do, Rehana looked at the rings on her fingers, showed them to Navas, and they visited a nearby jeweller. They sold a few rings and continued their journey. Rehana said she laughed until her eyes watered, remembering the incident.
Despite his absent-minded habits, Navas was deeply loving and immensely respected by Rehana, who admired his talent on screen and stage. Having grown up with a father who was a skilled theatre artist, she held performers like Navas in the highest regard. Her father had a gift for dialogue and presence, qualities she also saw in her husband. She genuinely enjoyed watching him perform.
